Work has started on improving and upgrading more Western Australian camping areas as part of the state government’s ‘Parks for People’ initiative.
Lane Poole Reserve’s Nanga campground is now in the process of getting a $2.45 million upgrade that will give it 29 new caravan bays, eight new tent sites, and two new toilets. The campsite – which is located some 60 kilometres from Mandurah and is very popular with grey nomads – will also get a new fire pit and new picnic tables.
The Mandurah Mail reports that the sealed road access from Nanga Brook Road will be improved, while the neighbouring Baden Powell recreation area will get new toilets, signs, interpretation, car parks, walk trails and river access points.
The Nanga campground upgrade is expected to be finished by the end of this year, while the Baden Powell recreation area redevelopment should be completed by 2016.
“The State Government wants people to get out and enjoy the State’s spectacular national parks,” said Environment Minister Albert Jacob. “Parks for People will provide West Australians and tourists with more low-cost, high-quality holiday options.”
Last year, Western Australia attracted more than 1.8 million holiday tourists into its regional national parks but it is hoped the new upgrades and developments will significantly increase this.
“National parks and camping grounds are a great way to attract new visitors to experience WA’s magnificent regions within a budget,” said Tourism Council WA chief executive Evan Hall. “These facilities will enable WA to attract new visitors without impacting on the environmental values of our precious parks.”
Earlier this month, we reported that the stunning Fitzgerald River National Park in WA’s south had received an injection of $40 million in joint state and federal government that has seen major road upgrades and improvements to camping grounds, signs, picnic areas, lookouts, car parks and walking tracks.
* Have you noticed the improvements in WA camping areas? Would you like to see other campgrounds upgraded? Comment below.
